Course Outline
Course Name: Introduction to Politics (POLS 150)
Academic Period: 2023 - 2024
Faculty:
Faculty Availability:
Associate Dean:
Chris Irwin
chris.irwin@humber.ca
Schedule Type Code:
Land Acknowledgement
Humber College is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Known as Adoobiigok [A-doe-bee-goke], the “Place of the Alders” in Michi Saagiig [Mi-Chee Saw-Geeg] language, the region is uniquely situated along Humber River Watershed, which historically provided an integral connection for Anishinaabe [Ah-nish-nah-bay], Haudenosaunee [Hoeden-no-shownee], and Wendat [Wine-Dot] peoples between the Ontario Lakeshore and the Lake Simcoe/Georgian Bay regions. Now home to people of numerous nations, Adoobiigok continues to provide a vital source of interconnection for all.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber (Humber) are leaders in providing a learning, working and living environment that recognizes and values equity, diversity and inclusion in all its programs and services. Humber commits to reflect the diversity of the communities the College serves. Students, faculty, support and administrative staff feel a sense of belonging and have opportunities to be their authentic selves.
| Faculty or Department | Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences |
|---|---|
| Course Name: | Introduction to Politics (POLS 150) |
| Pre-Requisites | none |
| Co-Requisites | none |
| Pre-Requisites for | none |
| Equates | none |
| Restrictions |
Students in the Social Service Worker program CANNOT take this course |
| Credit Value | 3 |
| Total Course Hours | 42 |
| Developed By: | Prepared By: | Approved by: | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chris Irwin |
Humber Learning Outcomes (HLOs) in this course.
The HLOs are a cross-institutional learning outcomes strategy aimed at equipping Humber graduates with the employability skills, mindsets, and values they need to succeed in the future of work. To explore all the HLOs, please consult the Humber Learning Outcomes framework.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging -
Systems Thinking -
Critical Thinking -
Collaboration -
Communication -
Professionalism
Course Description
Canadians are fortunate to live in a country where they may choose their degree of participation in government. Some become activists either in a political party or in support of causes; others seek elected office, work in campaigns or contribute money or time to parties or candidates. On the other end of the scale, people can choose to do little or nothing in politics and only suffer the mild consequence of being ignored by those in power. The choice is ours, but in either case a general understanding of political ideas, institutions and issues is helpful, even essential. This course focuses on political theories about the best form of government, the limits placed on government and the rights of the citizen and the state. Basic political institutions and how they function to resolve conflict in Canada and internationally are emphasized. Political ideologies, such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism and fascism, and the governments they give rise to, are emphasized. In the twenty-first century, all the ideologies are changing under the force called globalization. Is democracy bound to emerge as economies change, or is this hope far too simplistic? International development, international relations and the causes/prevention of wars and/or terrorism will also be examined. Police Foundation students who have taken POLS 107 The Political Game CANNOT take this course.
Course Rationale
Courses in Politics allow students to engage with political, social, environmental and economic issues that shape their worlds at the local, national, or international level. Students develop as thoughtful citizens by better understanding political ideas, institutions, processes, and the dynamics of relations between countries and regions. They also further develop important critical-thinking, research, and communication skills.
Course Learning Method(s)
- Collaborative Learning
- Group or Team Work
- Seminar
- Socratic Method
- Lecture
- Inquiry Based Learning
- Cooperative Learning
- Online
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)
| Learning Outcome | Learning Objectives | Summative Assessments | Formative Assessments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explain foundational concepts in political science such as power, authority, nationalism, and the state. |
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| Compare the traditional ideologies of liberalism, conservative, and socialism and how they are put into practice in different types of government. |
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| Evaluate the differences between traditional ideologies and newer ideologies such as feminism, environmentalism and fundamentalism. |
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| Investigate key differences in various democratic systems of government, such as divisions of power into branches and their use of constitutions. |
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| Compare and contrast authoritarian and democratic approaches to government in order to differentiate between historical and contemporary examples of both. |
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| Outline the processes of, and obstacles to, citizen participation in western democratic political systems. |
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| Investigate the relationship between economic development and politics in order to understand the challenges faced by different nations in the era of globalization. |
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| Explain the positions of realism, liberal-internationalism, and other theoretical perspectives on a variety of issues in international relations. |
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| Develop a critical appraisal of local, regional, national, and international politics in order to contextualize the role that politics does and will play in their personal and professional lives. |
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Assessment Weighting
| Assessment | Weight |
|---|---|
| Test | |
| Final Test | 20% |
| Writing Assignment | |
| Written assignments based on topics covered in course modules, e.g. essays, reports | 25% |
| Quiz | |
| Quizzes | 15% |
| Instructor-Created Assessments | |
| Tests: in-class, online, or take-home | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Modules of Study
| Module | Course Learning Outcomes | Resources | Assessments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction and key concepts in the study of politics • This introductory module will concentrate on basic questions involved in the study of politics. • Why study politics? What is the relationship between politics and the common good? What is the role of power in politics? • It will also introduce key concepts in the study of politics, such as authority, legitimacy, nationalism, the nation, and the state. |
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Assigned by course instructor from list of required readings. |
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| Introduction to forms of government: authoritarianism and democracy • This module will outline the key features of two general forms of government: authoritarianism and democracy. In addition to studying key features of each, this module will also consider the following questions: • Are authoritarian systems of government “dying out,” or are they making a comeback? • Will there be a democratic future for nearly all of the world’s states? |
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Assigned by course instructor from list of required readings. |
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| The role of ideology and ideologies in politics • Forms of government are important to the study of politics. However, it is just as important to study the collections of ideas that give shape and direction to governments. These collections of ideas are called ideologies and they will be the focus of this module. • An ideology is both a vision of political reality and a collection of often deeply held values. • This module will begin with a review of definitions of ideology and an exploration of three “traditional” ideologies that have had enormous influence on the modern political world: liberalism, conservatism and socialism. • It will conclude by looking at how at least one nontraditional ideology (such as feminism, environmentalism, or fundamentalism) responds critically to the claims that traditional ideologies make about political reality. |
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Assigned by course instructor from list of required readings. |
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| Different forms of democracy • This module will take a closer look at modern democratic systems of government. • It is important to highlight the similarities in these systems, but it is just as important to appreciate their differences in order to better understand how political power is distributed, concentrated, or “checked” in democracies. • We will review examples and case studies of how presidential and parliamentary systems work, as well as the role of constitutions in democratic states. |
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Assigned by course instructor from list of required readings. |
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| Political protest: politics outside of political institutions • Politics is not just something happens within government assemblies and political parties. • Many major political initiatives that deal with social justice, inequality, and environmental protections are undertaken because large numbers of people form groups and networks that come together to create massive public pressure on governments to make changes in laws and policies. • This module will look at the importance of political action that takes place outside of government and creates pressure that then influences government decision making. • We will look at examples of movements that represent this kind of political action, both in Canada and around the world. |
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Assigned by course instructor from list of required readings. |
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| Politics and economic development in the era of globalization • This module will look at the relationship between politics, political change, and economic development in the era of globalization. • We will engage in critical discussion of the idea of “development” and how it has come to be used to describe countries. • We will also review contrasting theories and models of development, such as neoliberal “free market” theories and dependency theory. • We will then take a closer look at the relationship between economic issues and political challenges in some low income countries. |
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Assigned by course instructor from list of required readings. |
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| Politics and governance at the global level • This module will focus on international politics • We will begin by describing the international environment using different theoretical models from the field of international relations, including liberal internationalism and realism. • We will then look at different “global” political problems, such as climate change and terrorism, in order to develop an understanding of the complexity of the challenges posed by politics at an international level. |
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Assigned by course instructor from list of required readings. |
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Required Resources
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
Mintz, Eric, & David Close, Osvaldo Croci (2012). The nation-state and globalization. In Politics, Power and the Common Good (3rd ed.) (pp. 24 - 49). |
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Instructors will assign readings from the required reading list. Please consult your course Critical Path for the assigned readings for your class. |
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Dickerson, Mark O. Thomas Flanagan & Brenda O’Neil. Ideology (2010). In An Introduction to government and politics: a conceptual approach (9th |
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Dickerson, Mark O. Thomas Flanagan & Brenda O’Neil. Ideology (2010). In An Introduction to government and politics: a conceptual approach (9th |
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Boyer, Mark A, Natalie F. Hudson and Michael J. Butler (2013). Thinking about global politics. In Global Politics: Engaging a Complex World (pp. 2 – |
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Haerpfer, Christian W. Patrick Bernhagen, Ronald F. Inglehart and Christian Welzel (2009). Democratization (pp.41 - 54, 74-91). Oxford: Oxford University |
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Johnston, L. (2013). Politics: An introduction to the modern democratic state (4th ed). Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN: 9781442605336. |
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MacLean, George A., & Duncan R. Wood (2014). Politics in developing states. In Politics: An introduction (2nd ed.) (pp. 264 - 302). Don Mills: Oxford |
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Mintz, Eric, & David Close, Osvaldo Croci (2012). The nation-state and globalization. In Politics, Power and the Common Good (3rd ed.) (pp. 24 - 49). |
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Powell Jr., Bingham G., Russel J. Dalton & Kaare Stron (2015). Interest articulation. In Comparative politics today (11th ed.) (pp. 56 – 74). Boston: |
Resource(s):
Course material costs can be found through the Humber Bookstore.
Essential Skills
| Section | Skills | Measurement | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication |
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Reinforce and measure |
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| Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving |
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Teach and measure |
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| Information Management |
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Reinforce and measure |
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| Interpersonal Skills |
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Reinforce and measure |
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| Personal Skills |
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Reinforce and measure |
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Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby candidates may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge competencies and skills acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside of post-secondary education. Candidates may have their knowledge, skills and competencies evaluated against the learning outcomes as defined in the course outline. Please review the Assessment Methods Glossary for more information on the Learning Portfolio assessment methods identified below.
The method(s) that are used to assess prior learning for this course may include:
- Challenge Exam (results recorded as a % grade and added to student’s CGPA)
Please contact the Program Coordinator for more details.
Academic Regulations
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the College Academic Regulations. The Academic Regulations apply to all applicants to Humber and all current students enrolled in any program or course offered by Humber, in any location. Information about academic appeals is found in the Academic Regulations.
Anti-Discrimination Statement
At Humber College, all forms of discrimination and harassment are prohibited. Students and employees have the right to study, live and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. If you need assistance on concerns related to discrimination and harassment, please contact the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion or the Office of Student Conduct.
Accessible Learning Services
Humber strives to create a welcoming environment for all students where equity, diversity and inclusion are paramount. Accessible Learning Services facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating academic accommodations and services. Staff in Accessible Learning Services are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations. If you require academic accommodations, contact:
North Campus: (416) 675-6622 X5090
Lakeshore Campus: (416) 675-6622 X3331
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is essentially honesty in all academic endeavors. Academic integrity requires that students avoid all forms of academic misconduct or dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating on tests or exams or any misrepresentation of academic accomplishment.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made by the professor/faculty to cover all material listed in the outline, the order, content, and/or evaluation may change in the event of special circumstances (e.g. time constraints due to inclement weather, sickness, college closure, technology/equipment problems or changes, etc.). In any such case, students will be given appropriate notification in writing, with approval from the Senior Dean (or designate) of the Faculty.
Copyright
Copyright is the exclusive legal right given to a creator to reproduce, publish, sell or distribute his/her work. All members of the Humber community are required to comply with Canadian copyright law which governs the reproduction, use and distribution of copyrighted materials. This means that the copying, use and distribution of copyright- protected materials, regardless of format, is subject to certain limits and restrictions. For example, photocopying or scanning an entire textbook is not allowed, nor is distributing a scanned book.
See the Humber Libraries website for additional information regarding copyright and for details on allowable limits.
Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning • 2023/2024.